AMFA members stood their ground today in an effort to raise awareness of the status of negotiations with Southwest Airlines (SWA). Over 200 aircraft maintenance technicians from AMFA joined with pilots from the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) and flight attendants from the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556 to express their displeasure with the pace of negotiations as well as the position of the carrier. They were stationed around Love Field where folks driving to and from the airport could see the frustration as well as witness the solidarity amongst labor groups.

Carrying signs that said “4 years No Luv No Contract,” “Without us it’s Just a Machine,” and “It’s Time for a Contract,” the prevailing theme was surrounding the lack of a contract after almost four years of negotiations. There was also much displeasure surrounding the carrier’s position on “efficiencies,” that are widely seen as concessionary, even as SWA most recently reported a 820 million dollar profit for the second quarter of 2016. Reporters from local television stations and newspapers were on hand to witness the event.

“Our members have stood by and watched as shareholders and company executives have been rewarded throughout this period of record profits … all the while their wages have been stagnant with little-to-no regard for our members’ contribution to both the profit of SWA and the safety of the flying public. It is beyond time for a contract that reflects these contributions,” said Louie Key, National Director. Negotiations between AMFA and SWA will continue July 26-28, 2016.

The Association would like to thank those folks who attended the event as well as those who supported it but could not attend. A hearty thanks is also due to the Local 11 Information Picketing Committee and Officers and Representatives who worked hard to make sure the event went off without a hitch.